Michael L. Hackworth

Chairman, Board of Cirrus Logic

Michael L. Hackworth, who served as Advisory Board chair of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, was a co-founder and chairman of the Board of Cirrus Logic. He served on the Board of Directors of Virage Logic Corp., and Epicor Software, as well as on the boards of several private chip and EDA companies.

Hackworth’s 45-year career as a high tech senior executive leader included nearly 40 years of experience in semiconductors with industry leaders such as Motorola, Fairchild and Philips semiconductor. As CEO of Cirrus Logic, Hackworth grew the company to over $1billion in annual revenue in 10 years time.

The company’s growth was highlighted in September 1997 when Deloitte & Touche LLP and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network announced the winners of the “Silicon Valley Fast 50.” Special recognition was given to the 14 companies that placed in the “Fast 50” for three consecutive years. With nearly 600 percent revenue growth over the 1992-96 period, Cirrus Logic ranked tenth in this distinctive group.

Ernst & Young recognized his management acumen in 1990 when he was named Semiconductor Entrepreneur of the Year. He was honored again as a nominee for this recognition in 1994. In 2001, he was the recipient of the third annual Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award presented by the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) at their 2001 Awards Dinner for his visionary contributions to the fabless semiconductor industry. He also won the Silicon Valley Lifetime Achievement Award from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in 2010.

Hackworth was personally active in a number of community activities, including the Ethics Center and The Tech Museum of Innovation. He died in April 2012.